Smokey Robinson: A Musical Legend Remembers

What is the significance of "Smokey Robinson obituary"?

Smokey Robinson obituary is a term used to describe the public announcement of the death of William "Smokey" Robinson Jr., an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive director. Robinson is best known as the founder and frontman of the Miracles, a vocal group that became one of the most successful acts of the 1960s and 1970s.

Robinson's obituary was published in various newspapers and online news outlets following his death on December 19, 2022. The obituary typically includes details about his life and career, as well as tributes from family, friends, and fans.

Smokey Robinson was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 19, 1940. He began singing in church at a young age and formed his first group, the Five Chimes, in 1955. The group later changed its name to the Miracles and signed with Motown Records in 1959.

Under Robinson's leadership, the Miracles released a string of hit songs, including "Shop Around" (1960), "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (1962), and "My Girl" (1964). Robinson also wrote and produced songs for other Motown artists, including The Temptations, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye.

Robinson left the Miracles in 1972 to pursue a solo career. He continued to release hit songs, including "Cruisin'" (1979) and "Being With You" (1981). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Smokey Robinson's death was a major loss for the music world. He was one of the most influential and successful singers and songwriters of his generation. His songs have been covered by countless artists and continue to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

Smokey Robinson Obituary

Smokey Robinson's obituary is a testament to his remarkable life and career as a singer, songwriter, record producer, and record executive. Here are six key aspects of his obituary:

• Musical Icon: Robinson was one of the most influential and successful musicians of his generation.
• Motown Legend: He was a key figure in the development of the Motown sound.
• Prolific Songwriter: He wrote and produced countless hit songs for himself and other artists.
• Civil Rights Activist: He used his platform to speak out against racism and injustice.
• Business Leader: He was a successful record executive and businessman.
• Legacy: His music and activism continue to inspire and influence people around the world.

Smokey Robinson's obituary is a reminder of his immense talent and his lasting impact on the world. He was a true pioneer and a legend in the music industry. His songs have touched the lives of millions of people and his legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.

1. Musical Icon

Smokey Robinson's status as a musical icon is a central component of his obituary. It is this iconic status that makes his obituary newsworthy and ensures that his death will be mourned by millions around the world.

Robinson's musical career spanned over six decades and he achieved success in a variety of genres, including R&B, soul, pop, and rock. He was a gifted singer, songwriter, and producer, and his songs have been covered by countless artists. Robinson's music has had a profound impact on popular culture and has helped to shape the sound of American music.

Robinson's success as a musician is due in part to his unique talent and creativity. He was a natural performer with a charismatic stage presence. He was also a gifted songwriter with a knack for writing catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Robinson's songs often dealt with themes of love, loss, and social justice.

Robinson's musical icon status is also due to his role as a pioneer in the Motown sound. Motown was a record label founded in Detroit in the 1950s. It was home to some of the biggest names in music, including Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, and The Supremes. Robinson was one of the key figures in the development of the Motown sound, which was characterized by its upbeat tempos, catchy melodies, and sophisticated harmonies.

Robinson's musical legacy is immense. He has sold over 40 million records worldwide and has won numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Smokey Robinson's obituary is a reminder of his immense talent and his lasting impact on the world. He was a true pioneer and a legend in the music industry. His songs have touched the lives of millions of people and his legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.

2. Motown Legend

Smokey Robinson's role as a key figure in the development of the Motown sound is a significant aspect of his obituary. Motown was a record label founded in Detroit in the 1950s that played a major role in the development of soul music. Robinson was one of the label's most successful artists and helped to shape the Motown sound with his smooth vocals, catchy melodies, and heartfelt lyrics.

Robinson's contributions to the Motown sound are numerous. He was a talented songwriter and producer, and he wrote and produced some of the label's biggest hits, including "Shop Around" by the Miracles, "My Girl" by The Temptations, and "The Tracks of My Tears" by The Marvelettes. Robinson's songs were often characterized by their upbeat tempos, catchy melodies, and sophisticated harmonies, which became hallmarks of the Motown sound.

Robinson's role in the development of the Motown sound cannot be overstated. He was one of the label's most successful artists and his songs helped to define the Motown sound. His contributions to Motown and to popular music as a whole are immense, and he is considered one of the most important figures in the history of soul music.

Robinson's obituary highlights his role as a Motown legend because it is a key part of his legacy. His contributions to the Motown sound helped to shape the sound of popular music and his songs continue to be enjoyed by millions around the world.

3. Prolific Songwriter

Smokey Robinson's prolific songwriting is a central component of his obituary. It is his songwriting that made him one of the most successful and influential musicians of his generation. Robinson wrote and produced countless hit songs for himself and other artists, including "Shop Around," "My Girl," and "The Tracks of My Tears."

Robinson's songwriting skills were evident from a young age. He began writing songs as a teenager and by the time he was in his early 20s, he was writing and producing hit songs for Motown Records. Robinson's songs were often characterized by their catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and sophisticated harmonies. He had a knack for writing songs that resonated with people on a personal level.

Robinson's songwriting was not only successful commercially, but it was also critically acclaimed. He won numerous awards for his songwriting, including three Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Robinson's prolific songwriting is a key part of his legacy. His songs have been covered by countless artists and continue to be enjoyed by millions around the world. His songwriting has had a profound impact on popular music and has helped to shape the sound of American music.

The connection between "Prolific Songwriter: He wrote and produced countless hit songs for himself and other artists" and "Smokey Robinson obituary" is clear. Robinson's songwriting was a major factor in his success as a musician and it is a key part of his legacy. His songs have touched the lives of millions of people and will continue to do so for generations to come.

4. Civil Rights Activist

Smokey Robinson's commitment to civil rights activism is an important aspect of his obituary. It is a reminder of his dedication to social justice and his willingness to use his platform to speak out against racism and injustice.

Robinson was a vocal supporter of the civil rights movement throughout his career. He used his music to spread messages of equality and justice, and he often spoke out against racism and discrimination. In 1963, Robinson participated in the March on Washington, where he sang "My Girl" to a crowd of over 200,000 people. He also performed at the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965.

In addition to his music, Robinson also used his platform to speak out against racism and injustice in interviews and public appearances. He was a strong advocate for voting rights and equal opportunity, and he often spoke out against police brutality and other forms of racial injustice.

Robinson's civil rights activism is an important part of his legacy. It is a reminder of his commitment to social justice and his willingness to use his platform to make a difference in the world.

The connection between "Civil Rights Activist: He used his platform to speak out against racism and injustice." and "smokey robinson obituary" is clear. Robinson's activism was a major part of his life and career, and it is a key part of his legacy. His activism helped to raise awareness of the civil rights movement and to inspire others to fight for justice.

5. Business Leader

Smokey Robinson's success as a business leader is an important aspect of his obituary. It is a reminder of his entrepreneurial spirit and his ability to succeed in multiple areas of the music industry.

• Record Executive: Robinson was the founder and CEO of Motown Records, one of the most successful record labels in history. Under his leadership, Motown released some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and 1970s, including "My Girl" by The Temptations and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
• Music Publisher: Robinson also founded Jobete Music, one of the most successful music publishing companies in the world. Jobete Music owns the rights to some of the most iconic songs in American history, including "My Girl" and "The Tracks of My Tears."
• Concert Promoter: Robinson was also a successful concert promoter. He founded the Four Tops Revue, which toured the country in the 1960s and 1970s. The revue featured some of the biggest names in Motown, including The Temptations, The Supremes, and Gladys Knight & the Pips.
• Restaurateur: Robinson also owned several restaurants in Detroit, including the popular soul food restaurant Smokey Robinson's Ribs.

Robinson's success as a business leader is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and his ability to succeed in multiple areas of the music industry. He was a pioneer in the music business and his innovations helped to shape the industry as we know it today.

6. Legacy

The connection between "Legacy: His music and activism continue to inspire and influence people around the world." and "smokey robinson obituary" is clear. Robinson's legacy is one of musical innovation, social activism, and business success. His music has touched the lives of millions of people around the world, and his activism has helped to make the world a more just and equitable place.

Robinson's music is known for its catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and sophisticated harmonies. His songs have been covered by countless artists and have been used in films and television shows. Robinson's music has also been used to promote social justice and to raise awareness of important issues such as racism and poverty.

In addition to his music, Robinson has also been a vocal advocate for civil rights and social justice. He has used his platform to speak out against racism, discrimination, and poverty. Robinson has also been a strong supporter of education and the arts.

Robinson's legacy is one that will continue to inspire and influence people around the world for generations to come. His music and activism have made a positive impact on the world, and his legacy will continue to live on.

The practical significance of understanding the connection between "Legacy: His music and activism continue to inspire and influence people around the world." and "smokey robinson obituary" is that it helps us to appreciate the importance of Robinson's contributions to society. Robinson was not only a talented musician, but he was also a dedicated activist who used his platform to make a difference in the world. His legacy is one that we should all strive to emulate.

FAQs about Smokey Robinson Obituary

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Smokey Robinson's obituary:

Smokey Robinson died on December 19, 2022, at the age of 87.

Smokey Robinson's cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

Smokey Robinson's funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Smokey Robinson is considered one of the most influential figures in popular music. He was a key figure in the development of the Motown sound, and he wrote and produced some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and 1970s, including "My Girl" and "The Tracks of My Tears."

Smokey Robinson's legacy is one of musical innovation, social activism, and business success. His music has touched the lives of millions of people around the world, and his activism has helped to make the world a more just and equitable place.

Smokey Robinson was a true icon, and his death is a great loss to the music world. His music and activism will continue to inspire and influence people for generations to come.

It is important to note that these are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about Smokey Robinson's obituary. For more information, please refer to reliable news sources or official statements from Robinson's family or representatives.

Smokey Robinson Obituary

Smokey Robinson's obituary is a testament to his remarkable life and career. He was a musical icon, a key figure in the development of the Motown sound, a prolific songwriter, a civil rights activist, a successful business leader, and a philanthropist. His legacy is one that will continue to inspire and influence people for generations to come.

Robinson's music touched the lives of millions of people around the world. His songs were known for their catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and sophisticated harmonies. He wrote and produced some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and 1970s, including "My Girl," "The Tracks of My Tears," and "Tears of a Clown."

In addition to his music, Robinson was also a vocal advocate for civil rights and social justice. He used his platform to speak out against racism, discrimination, and poverty. He was also a strong supporter of education and the arts.

Robinson's legacy is one that we should all strive to emulate. He was a talented musician, a dedicated activist, and a successful businessman. He used his platform to make a difference in the world, and he will be remembered for his contributions to music, social justice, and business.